The Comox Valley could be facing another bout of snow over the coming days.
On Friday, Feb. 7, Environment Canada sent a Special Weather Statement for the weekend.
"A low will move to the west of Vancouver Island this afternoon and tonight. It will send bands of flurries over West Vancouver Island late this afternoon, and the rest of Vancouver Island this evening. Flurries will continue into the overnight period and early Saturday morning. Snowfall amounts will be highly variable, but 2 to 4 cm can be expected with local amounts exceeding 5 cm."
As of Friday, the forecast was for cold temperatures to continue through Valentine's day, with a return to warmer, rainer weather the following week.
That follows first major snowfall of the year came through the Comox Valley in early February, leaving many digging out and trying to find a way to stay warm.
The storm brought with it cold temperatures overnight, prompting the opening of warming centres across the valley through the week.
According to the CVRD website, the warming centres "are intended as a place of refuge offering a dry, safe place with seating, snacks, washrooms, security, and cleaning services. Leashed or crated pets are welcome, but please verify with the service provider on site."
They are not funded through local taxes, do not have sleeping areas, cots or mats, or require registration. There is no violent behaviour tolerated, and no visitors or media are allowed on site without approval from the site manager and on-site service providers.
Emergency warming centres and services are temporary emergency supports that may be eligible for Provincial funding and support when one or more of the following Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) thresholds have been met:
- Extreme Weather Alert: including Warnings, Watches, Advisories, and Special Weather Statements coincide with temperatures of 0掳C or lower.
- Forecast Temperatures: are predicted to reach -4掳C or colder.
- Weather-related Threats: When weather conditions may pose a direct threat to safety (example: prolonged power outages, sustained high winds with the risk of flying debris).
Warming centres are different from emergency shelters in that the warming centres are set up when weather conditions may pose a direct threat to safety.
"Services are delivered by local service providers, to offer a safe, warm, dry place of refuge with access to washroom facilities, security, cleaning services, a seating area, snacks and refreshments. There are no sleeping areas or registration requirements," the regional district's website says.
Emergency shelters, which are operated and delivered by local service providers under contract with BC Housing and other sources, provide basic services like places to sleep, eat and wash. They are activated after weather conditions hit a certain threshold set by BC Housing.
For more information, visit the .
The cold snap and snow also closed Comox Valley Schools on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The district said that its priority was with the health and safety of students and staff, and that the slippery conditions prompted the closure.
